Chapter 22: Father - II

The duke did not show his surprise on his face. He was yet to process what just happened. He admitted that he was not particularly attentive to this daughter of his in the past. But again, he had so many kids that he did not pay attention to most of his kids. For him, only his eldest son mattered for he was slated to inherit his title. He had to make sure that the family's name and fame remained solid. He was too busy with the work to think about his kids.
Audrey Lazarus, on the other hand, was instantly incensed by her daughter's lack of courtesy towards her own parents.
"Is this the way to call your parents? Is this what I have taught you?" she shouted in an exasperated tone. What image would she have in front of her husband and his aide if her rebellious daughter kept behaving like this? And if this spread outside that their own daughter was treating her parents in such a distant manner, people would only blame her as a bad mother. How could she let that happen? Her own image among the citizens needed to be impeccable.
Kim Su Won looked at her mother dumbfounded. This old lady, she really knew how to act, eh? in front of the duke, she was the most angelic mother she could be.
Kim Su Won really wanted to ask this lady when she had ever taught her anything personally but decided to let it go for now. Audrey was not the goal here, her studies were.
She averted her clear gaze back to Duke Whittemore who was sitting silently, trying to gauge her reaction. Once he saw the kid not paying attention to her mother, he knew that this girl meant business and was not interested in anything else. There was slight resentment and coldness in her eyes too.
There was something inside his heart that was stabbing him. Although he did not interact with his kids much, all the other kids in the household that he would see occasionally would have longing for his love in their eyes. They always wanted to gain his attention and try to survive in this cruel place. But this girl, she was different. She showed no love or longing for her parents.
He dismissed his wife with a wave and gazed directly into Kim Su Won's eyes. "I heard you wanted to talk about getting you a few teachers?" he asked directly.
Kim Su Won hesitated before answering. She did not want Audrey Lazarus with them. It had to be kept a secret from her, although nothing was really secret in this mansion. But she also did not want to go into details how she was looking to educate Chris with her if the duke agreed to hire some instructors for her.

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Or she could just ask for instructors for that kid itself. Duke might listen to her but Audrey would never allow it. She just wanted protection for that poor kid. Thus, it was impossible for her to talk to her father in presence of her mother.
"I have to apologize my lord, but I am sure I requested for a private audience," she replied back without any fear in her eyes. For someone who already was used to toxic environment and had died once, what else did she need to fear?
Audrey was livid now. This was much too insulting. Her own daughter was asking their father to throw her out of the room? How could she? This was own flesh and blood! This runt was supposed to respect her as an elder and her mother. How dared she?
"M-My lord! I will take her away and educate her properly. I apologize on her behalf. Emma, my dear child! I am so sorry I could not care after you when you were sick, but you cannot disrespect your parents like this," Audrey completely changed her tone. She looked heartbroken at her daughter's behavior. Her eyes were the saddest Kim Su Won had ever seen through Emmeline's memories. Of course, it was all an act. And Kim Su Won knew Audrey was almost about to pull out a handkerchief to start wiping her fake tears.
If Audrey were to yell once more, the duke might get suspicious of how this neglected child was being treated. Again, it was going to affect her image. This kid was doing it to just gain some attention and sympathy anyway. She would give it to her for the time being and teach her a lesson later.
Kim Su Won understood this tactic completely. These mothers, they did not change, did they? Their tricks were all the same. Audrey was portraying herself as the generous mother who was upset at her daughter's outburst and felt 'responsible' for not teaching her properly, while trying to ruin her daughter's image in front of the father.
"What is it that you want to talk about that your mother could not hear? I am sure there is no harm in your mother being here?" Duke Harold Whittemore, sitting in same position, looking handsome, was trying to corner his daughter.
Hah! Such an old tactic again.
At this moment, Kim Su Won knew, it was time for her acting.. She took everyone by surprise when she sat down on the floor in a kneeling position, with her eyes gone red with tears and shame.

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